Specialist News 

Hello everyone!

It's so wonderful to see everyone back in the East House Studio this term! I am especially proud of our new Preps who have settled in well to our Specialist program, and are already showing us how engaged they are in learning so many different skills. This semester in Performing Arts we are focusing on Music, and this term we are concentrating on performing beat, rhythm and body percussion. 

The Preps are learning to keep the beat in different ways in their body, singing songs and playing games that focus their attention to the 'heartbeat' of each song or chant. They strive to stay in time with me and together with the whole class. Some songs and chants to ask your child about are "(Name) works with one hammer", "Copycat", "Rickety Rackety" and "Tick-tock little clock".

The Grade 1s and 2s are learning about the difference and relationship between beat and rhythm. We have used different resources to illustrate the beat and rhythms of simple songs, like hoops and beanbags. We know that beat is constant and rhythm matches the words/syllables. 

The following YouTube clip helps us practise clapping with the syllables as a warm-up.

The Multi-Age students have used our amazing xylophones to perform rhythm, beat, counter-rhythms and harmonies together as a group. 

We are looking at body percussion examples and challenges such as those linked below.

Next term I'm excited for:

• Choir for students in Grades 1 to 6 as a lunchtime club
• ukulele for 5/6 students
• recorder for 3/4 students
• percussion and singing for Prep~2 students

Lisa Paech

Performing Arts